Pocket reinforcement device, and methods of constructing and utilizing same

ABSTRACT

A pocket reinforcement device to prevent the edge of a pocket from fraying from frequent removal of a tape ruler being slipped on and off it. The reinforcement device is in the shape of a thin flat member which is folded over the top edge of the pocket.

The present patent application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/590,426 filed Jul. 22, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

The present invention relates generally to a pocket reinforcement device, and methods of constructing and utilizing same.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a pocket reinforcement device which prevents the edge of a pocket from fraying when a tape ruler or other device is slipped on and off of the pocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most craftsmen and craftswomen wear their tape measures on the pocket of their pants. This causes the lip of the unreinforced pocket to rip or fray.

After a short period of time of such use as mentioned hereinabove, depending on the number of times the tape ruler is placed on and off of the pocket, the cloth of the pocket becomes ruined. Invariably, the tape ruler can no longer be placed on the pocket anymore.

This happens to virtually all pants pockets. The pants are still in good condition, but the pockets become ruined.

The present invention solves the problem as described hereinabove.

The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by the following United States patents: Tucker U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,994, entitled “REINFORCED TROUSER POCKET’;

Grover U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,991, entitled “WORK PANTS”; and Dean U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,681, entitled ‘HEALTH CARE GARMENT AND POCKET THEREON”.

It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the conventional and prior art techniques and devices, and to provide a simple, effective and inexpensive solution to the problem set forth hereinabove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pocket reinforcement device comprising: a main component fabricated from a substantially thin, substantially flat piece of material for selective and releasable insertion into a pocket of a garment and removal therefrom; said main component including a first long portion and a second short portion; said first long portion being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into said pocket of said garment; said second short portion being adapted to be bent or rolled into a shape to fit over a top edge of said pocket in said garment; and whereby said second short portion retains its shape once it has been bent, and in conjunction with said first long portion serves to reinforce said pocket from wear and tear.

The present invention gives a pocket on a pair of pants or other garment a chance for a longer life.

It is a primary object of the present invention to prevent the edge of a pocket from fraying from continuous use of a tool, such as a tape ruler, being slipped on and off of a pocket.

Another object of the present invention to provide a device as mentioned hereinabove, as formed by the consumer or the manufacturer to fit into a pocket and over the edge of the pocket.

The present invention possesses many other advantages and features which will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons when reading the detailed description of the present invention as set forth hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying patent drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of two rear pockets of a pair of pants, into one of which pockets is about to be inserted a device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates on a larger scale the device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a side elevational view of the FIG. 2 embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention after the upper portion has been bent over ready for insertion into the pocket of a pair of pants.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevational view of the device which has been inserted into a pocket with the hook and loop materials mating with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a pair of pants 10, partly in section, showing two rear pockets 11 and 12 thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, a device 13 in accordance with the present invention is about to be inserted into one pocket 11 of said rear pockets 11 and 12. The device 13, of course, can be used in any side, rear, or front pocket, and shaped to be used in any side, rear or front pocket.

The device 13, in accordance with the present invention, has a main component 14 comprising a thin flat piece 15 of a substantially rigid material, such as, for example, vinyl.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the thin flat piece of material 15 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with two parallel scored lines 16 and 17 which facilitate bending or rolling of the material 15, so that one part 18 of the material 15 is bent over for placing over the edge 19 of the pocket 11, and down the outside of the pocket 111 where a tape ruler case may rest. The other long portion 20 of the flat material 15 is inserted into the pocket 11 where the clip of the tape ruler may grip the pocket 11.

The present invention envisions that the device 13 can be bent or rolled into shape by the consumer or a manufacturer to fit over the edge 19 of a pocket 111 or 12. The device 13 will retain its shape once it has been bent.

It is important to note that after the first few times of use, the device 13 in accordance with the present invention will contour to a person's body and the tape ruler case. The fit will be better and better each and every time it is used.

It is also important to note that the optional two scored parallel lines 16 and 17 allow for different thicknesses of pocket material. However, some vinyl will bend and hold shape without scored lines.

The term “adhering component” as used herein is intended to mean mating hook and loop materials, abrasive materials, adhesive double-sided tape, and any other components which would aid in adhering the device to the pocket in which it is inserted.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, element 21 is an adhering component as defined hereinabove.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the adhering component may take the form of one part of a mating hook and loop material, such as component 21, which is secured to the longer portion 20 of the device 13.

A mating hook and loop material component 25 which is secured to the inner surface of the pocket 11.

With reference to FIG. 5, when the device 13 is inserted into the pocket, the mating hook and loop material components 21 and 25 mate with each other for retention.

Alternatively, the longer portion 20 of the device 13 may have attached to it an abrasive material 21, which is glued or taped onto it, just a short distance below the scored lines 16 and 17 to allow it to grip the inside material of the pocket 11. When a tape ruler is clipped onto the pocket 11, the clip of the tape ruler places pressure against the abrasive material 21 on the vinyl 15 and the material on the inside of the pocket 11. When the tape ruler is removed from the pocket 11, or pulled off the pocket 11, the gripping action of the abrasive material 21 against the interior pocket material causes the vinyl 15 to remain stuck inside the pocket 11, without any fraying of the pocket 11 being caused.

As shown best in FIG. 4, the upper small portion 18 of the device 13, which is bent or rolled, slips over the outside of the pants pocket lip 19, and is positioned where the clip of the tape measure sits.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 13 may be provided with two notches 22 and 23 on the sides of the device 13 to facilitate the bending or rolling of the upper portion 18 of the device 13.

As an alternative, the abrasive material may be replaced by an adhesive double-sided tape 21 which may be applied just below the scored lines 16 and 17. Preferably, but not necessarily, abrasive material or adhesive tape 21 can be applied to other portions of the device 13, such as portions 18 and/or 20.

There has been illustrated in the accompanying patent drawings and described hereinabove only some exemplary, unique and novel preferred embodiments of the present invention which can be constructed in many different configurations, arrangements of components, sizes, and shape.

It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those

-   -   persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to         other persons after     -   having been exposed to the present patent specification and         accompanying patent drawings.

Any and all such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present invention which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are therefor covered by and embraced within the present invention and the present patent application. 

1. A pocket reinforcement device comprising: a main component fabricated from a substantially thin, substantially flat piece of material for selective and releasable insertion into a pocket of a garment and removal therefrom; said main component including a first long portion and a second short portion; said first long portion being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into said pocket of said garment; said second short portion being adapted to be bent or rolled into a shape to fit over a top edge of said pocket in said garment; and whereby said second short portion retains its shape once it has been bent, and in conjunction with said first long portion serves to reinforce said pocket from wear and tear.
 2. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein: there is provided one or more scored lines disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion to facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 3. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein: there are provided two parallel scored lines disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion to facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 4. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 2, wherein: there are provided two parallel scored lines disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion to facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 5. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein: there is provided along a first edge of said main component a first notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; there is provided along a second edge of said main component a second notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; whereby said first notch and said second notch facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 6. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 2, wherein: there is provided along a first edge of said main component a first notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; there is provided along a second edge of said main component a second notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; whereby said first notch and said second notch facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 7. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 3, wherein: there is provided along a first edge of said main component a first notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; there is provided along a second edge of said main component a second notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; whereby said first notch and said second notch facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 8. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 4, wherein: there is provided along a first edge of said main component a first notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; there is provided along a second edge of said main component a second notch disposed between said first long portion and said second short portion; whereby said first notch and said second notch facilitate bending or rolling of said second short portion relative to said first long portion.
 9. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 1, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 10. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 2, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 11. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 3, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 12. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 4, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 13. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 5, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 14. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 6, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 15. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 7, including: an adhering component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 16. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 8, including: an adherent component which is attached to said first long portion which permits said long portion to adhere to or grip the inside material of said pocket in said garment or a mating adhering component secured in said pocket in said garment.
 17. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 9, wherein: said adherent components comprise hook and loop material.
 18. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 16, wherein: said adherent components comprise hook and loop material.
 19. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 9, wherein: said adherent components comprise hook and loop material.
 20. A pocket reinforcement device according to claim 16, wherein: said adherent components comprise hook and loop material. 